Since April, the citizens of Hong Kong have been rioting against the Chinese government. The protests started because of the extradition bill, which would have allowed suspects to be extradited to mainland China. People argued that this could lead citizens of Hong Kong to unfair trials and that it would give China even greater influence over Hong Kong. Thousands of people took to the streets, and the government said the bill would be suspended indefinitely. 

Hong Kongwas under British rule for over 150 years until London handed it to China in 1997. 

Alan Wong reported for Inkstone that Beijing promised Hong Kong that its people would enjoy “a high degree of autonomy.” 

Citizens of Hong Kong now claim that they broke their promise, and this has led to the civil unrest that is now plaguing Hong Kong. 

Protesting continued, and rioters called for the bill to be completely withdrawn. The protesters have made a motto: “Five demands, not one less.” The demands are that the protests not be categorized as riots, pardons for arrested protesters, an independent inquiry into police brutality, implementation of complete universal suffrage, and finally the withdrawal of the bill. The last of the demands were met in September. 

Most recently, NPR’s Merrit Kennedy reported a days-long standoff at Polytechnic University this past week. Protesters barricaded themselves inside the school to avoid police. As their supplies dwindled, they started escaping through the sewers. Police arrested roughly 1,100 protesters in a single day, and about 235 were hospitalized on Nov. 19.

The conflict currently shows no sign of stopping, and there does not seem to be any plans by the Chinese government to meet the protesters demands.